WOMEN OF THE WEEK 3.27.23

                                             

    1. Leta Stetter Hollingsworth

To call American psychologist Leta Stetter Hollingsworth a pioneer is an understatement. Hollingsworth was the first woman to use scientific research to upend the belief that women were inferior to men—especially the notion that they were ‘incapacitated’ during menstruation. A feminist and active member of the Women’s Suffrage Party, Hollingsworth published several books. She developed the first-ever course on teaching gifted children, pushed for curricular change in schools, wrote several papers on the psychology of women, and advocated for certification requirements for applied psychologists.  Perhaps her biggest accomplishment was being one of only 14 women included in Robert Watson’s publication, "Eminent Contributors to Psychology" (Benjamin and Shields, 1990). Though she died in 1939 at the age of 58, Hollingsworth’s achievements in the field of women’s psychology still resonate today.

2. Melanie Klein

Klein was a controversial figure in her day—and as the founder of Kleinian psychoanalysis—she was the first mental health professional to apply the tenets of traditional psychoanalysis to children. This methodology flew in the face of the academic and medical establishment, which at that time considered women to be unreliable, second-class scientists who were semi-invalid during their monthly menstrual cycles. 

Klein pioneered “play-therapy” to better understand the communication, intention, and neurosis of children. This methodology is an important underpinning for the modern behavioral analysis of children and is an unshakeable contribution to the psychoanalytical school of thought. 

3. Lonnette Ray 

Ms. Lonnette Ray is currently a Program Director at Behavioral Health Group. As an experienced nurse, her goal is to "change one life a day". An avid and dedicated community support to the Ward 8 community in the District of Columbia. Loved by many, Ms. Ray continuously pours into the community through her health services, education  and harm reduction efforts. She enjoys building and teaching about leadership throughout healthcare.

4. Dr. Bernadette Carol

A Doctorate level Licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified financial social worker, certified Mindfulness Informed Professional and working as a catalyst for change in the helping profession for 15+ years. Dr. Bernadette Carol, our phenomenal EPD Waiver Case Manager and Administrator has been apart of the Prestige Healthcare Resources Inc. Family since 2016.

"I love being a helping professional. I guide others in making difficult decisions or transitions,  overcoming their challenges, improving general mood and functioning and ensuring safety and connection within the community.  I use a person-centered approach, believing that YOU are an equally important partner in the helping relationship. I hold a doctorate degree in Social Work with a special focus on leadership. I absolutely love being a helping professional and especially enjoy the exchange between myself and the people with whom I work.  I have a diverse work history having started my career with the Federal government as a Management Analyst, then briefly teaching High School prior to becoming a social worker. As a clinical social worker, I have experience working with many diverse populations to include children, adults, incarcerated persons, the aging and their caregivers. I was also a college athlete who loved being part of a team and later coached at a renowned HBCU CIAA Division II College.  These experiences continue to pour into my therapeutic and case management practices and help me to relate to others at varying stages of life. As a trained clinician, I use Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Play Therapy and other evidenced based models to meet needs during therapy and to inform my case management practices."